Dear Congregation,
At Easter time, we celebrate the life of Jesus and the way his spirit is still with us. Jesus was a beloved teacher whose teachings form the basis of the Christian religion, which is why many Unitarian Universalist congregations remember him. At other times, we celebrate other prophetic people whose wisdom has made the world a better place. I invite you to wonder with your kids: What can his spirit, words, or deeds teach us today?
What can we learn from the story of the life and death of Jesus Christ?
“The Life of Jesus: A long time ago, in a land far away” By Amanda Uluhan
A long time ago, in a land quite far from here, a bright star appeared in the eastern sky. In the small village of Bethlehem, a child was born to his loving and miraculous mother Mary and her husband Joseph. As a child, Jesus learned to be a carpenter. While not much is known about his early years, he had a sharp mind and a large heart, taking the religion of his people so seriously that it set him apart from his earliest days.
When he grew older, he started teaching about being a loving person, being kind, and helping those in need. Soon, whenever the crowds learned where he was, they followed him; those people were called his disciples. As the community grew, he taught that God’s kingdom was not a far-off dream, but something real within and around each of us to be worked for. He looked down on those who put money first and people second.
Jesus also taught about transformation—taking what seemed hopeless and transforming it into love and abundance. Whether it was five loaves of bread feeding five thousand people, or empty vats suddenly full of wine, his life was full of care. Jesus went to those cast out by society: people tormented by madness or suffering from diseases, bringing them back to the circle of love.
Once, Jesus found a house of worship that had become a market. He flipped the tables over, declaring that the needs of the community were greater than money and that the people needed a place to be healed.
Jesus and his disciples traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. They entered on what we now call Palm Sunday. As the crowds grew, Jesus knew he was upsetting the people in power. He taught that God loved all children and that being loving was more important than being powerful. Both religious and state authorities felt threatened by his radical egalitarianism.
The night before he died, on Maundy Thursday, Jesus shared a Seder dinner with his community. Breaking the bread, he spoke deliberately: “I am working to create infinite justice, and I will never stop as long as I live.” He knew there was a price on his head, but refused to cave to threats, as that would mean losing his integrity.
“Just as this bread is broken so that the hungry may eat,” he said, “so my body will be broken because of my efforts toward the liberation of everyone marginalized and oppressed. Whenever you share bread, share in the work of my body. Work for justice and remember me.”
That same night, a friend betrayed him. The next day, when Jesus was only 33, the priests and bankers went to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, and demanded his arrest and execution.
News spread that Jesus had been killed, and many were heartbroken. At sundown on Saturday, Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb to honor him with spices. When they arrived, they steeled themselves and stepped inside. But a body is not a person; they did not find Jesus there. While his body was placed in a cave, his spirit never needs to die. His followers began to talk about his teachings and the impact his life had on them.
— Amanda, Director of Religious Education
April RE Programs
- April 5: Community Easter Egg Hunt – Join us Tuesday, March 31, for an Easter Egg packing party.
- April 12: Fun with Puppets – A day of learning to express our emotions.
- April 19: Earth Care – We will be spending time outside; please dress for the weather.
- April 24-26: Youth Spring Con – A regional gathering for grades 8-12 in the Pacific Northwest. Register here.
Stay connected—Reach out to our staff to ensure you are on our email lists for enrolled youth.